We may not knowingly invite toxins into our homes/bodies but the truth is, the chemicals we use to keep our homes clean may be causing harm to us and our family’s health.

This post is not meant to scare you into change but unfortunately the dangers are real. Being aware of the risk and impact our cleaning habits might have on our health would at the very least equip us with knowledge to make smarter consumption choices.

One of the biggest danger is, ingredients found in some home spray cleaning products are known carcinogens (i.e. cancer causing. Yes, not suspect of but known to cause cancer).

You might think, “if that’s true, why is it even allowed?”

Regulations in most countries including Australia, allow manufacturers to use toxic chemicals in their products if it is below a certain percentage. What they do not take into account is that we are exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis. (Think about how often you clean your homes.) Over time, we create a toxic chemical build up in our bodies and that is what harms us. It’s commonly known as the “Sick Building Syndrome”.

How do chemicals enter our bodies?

These chemicals enter our bodies so easily through skin absorption (takes just 26 secs for our skin to absorb!) and through inhalation. Babies and children are the quickest and most common victims of toxins in cleaning products. According to studies, residues of more than 400 toxic chemicals – some found in household products and foods – have been identified in human blood and fat tissue.

I personally experienced the loss of, know of and heard of too many people getting cancers way too young. I’m not a doctor but I don’t think our bodies are meant to naturally break down at such early age. If you watch an incredible movie called “Cancer is curable now” or follow the inspiring The Wellness Warrior blog by a young cancer survivor, they believe cancer is really your body’s way of telling you to stop and take better care of it.

If you have time, here’s a good article on cancer causing chemicals in our homes and it’s effects: Carcinogens At Home Warning: there’s some pretty heavy facts and findings that might scare the crap out of you.

But if you haven’t got the time/patience to go through all that, here’s a quick info-graphic summary.

Top 5 Toxic Ingredients to avoid

Pay particular attention to the top 5 ingredients to avoid in home spray cleaners. Download it onto your phones so you can refer to it the next time you’re out shopping for cleaners.

We found all 5 ingredients in detergents in Australia so please remember to read labels before buying your next cleaning product. If the brand does not even have an ingredients list on their labels, your health radar should go on red alert!

The Solution: Use Natural Alternatives

The safest way to start detoxing your home is to avoid chemical-based cleaners altogether and switch to natural alternatives. A simple vinegar/lemon and bi-carb soda mix will do the job. There are loads of recipes you can find on google.

But if you’re not ready to or are too busy to play mixologist then Resparkle is here to help.

Resparkle won’t let cost be an obstacle.

Juggling between feeding a family, a mortgage & ever rising energy cost, we understand the family budget might feel the pinch if you’ve to spend more switching to quality green cleaners, especially since this is an item you use almost daily.

That is why Resparkle worked really hard to ensure a natural and effective alternative is available to you that doesn’t cost more than most chemical-based cleaning product.

Now that you are (hopefully) more aware of the toxins in your homes and what you can do to minimise it, in our next post, we’ll feature plants that can help purify the air indoors and beautify your space.